Xerostomia Resulting From Radiotherapy. Acute xerostomia from radiation is due to an inflammatory reaction while late xerostomia which can occur up to one year after radiation therapy results from fibrosis of the salivary gland and is usually permanent16 Radiation causes changes in the serous secretory cells resulting in a reduction in salivary output and increased viscosity of the saliva. Xerostomia is a term used to describe the subjective symptoms of a dry mouth deriving from a lack of saliva.
A randomised double-blind controlled trial of Visco-ease oral spray compared with placebo in patients with cancer of the head and neck Created January 30 2021 Author DentistryKey. 1Department of Radiation Oncology Academic Hospital Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam The Netherlands. A n often severe form of xerostomia results from iatrogenic salivary gland destruction caused by therapeutic doses of irradiation given to treat head and neck cancer.
Xerostomia also known as dry mouth is dryness in the mouth which may be associated with a change in the composition of saliva or reduced salivary flow or have no identifiable cause.
The irradiation of head and neck cancer HNC often causes damage to the salivary glands. The resulting salivary gland hypofunction and xerostomia seriously reduce the patients quality of life. The major causes are Sjoegrens syndrome SS medication and radiotherapy to the head and neck. To analyze the literature of actual management strategies for radiation-induced hypofunction and xerostomia in HNC patients.